Idris Ahmed
2 July 2009
Abuja — The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) will today submit to President Umar Musa Yar'adua a recommended pay cut for political office holders, Daily Trust learnt.
A reliable source at the Presidency told Daily Trust that the report of the long awaited remunerations slash proposed by Mr. President in February will be presented to him today by 2pm.
President Yar'adua wrote the RMAFC in February to review salaries and allowances of certain political, public and judicial office holders as a response to the global financial meltdown.
The source was not specific on the percentage cut, but said it could be between 15 percent and 20 percent, "because oil price is picking up and government revenue is expected to go up too."
The report will also be submitted to the Senate for approval. Yar'adua has already reduced salaries of political office holders under the Executive by 20 percent. The cut will be used to improve transportation in Abuja, he said.
If 20 percent is cut from the President's salary by RMAFC, he stands to lose N1, 265, 293. Already, he has reduced his basic annual salary from N3, 514, 705 to N2, 811, 764. A further 20 percent from N2.8 million will give him N2, 249, 411.
RMAFC is the constitutional and independent body empowered to fix the remunerations of political officeholders.
Following Mr. President's proposal, the Commission set up eight different committees to consult with relevant stakeholders to come out with acceptable remuneration formula.
The RMAFC committees have consulted with stakeholders such as members of State house of assemblies, the national economic team, representatives of the media among others.
"The report of the Committees and their recommendations is what the Commission is submitting to the president today", the source said.
When debate on the proposed salary cut began, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Kutigi said the directive of Mr. President does not extend to judicial officers.
His argument was that security of tenure of all judicial officers in the Federation is guaranteed under Section 84 Subsection (1)- (4) of the 1999 Constitution which provides that salaries and allowances of judicial officers cannot be altered to their disadvantage.
The existing remuneration package was approved by the National Assembly last year sequel to RMAFC's proposal.
The 2000 remuneration package for political office holders was reviewed upward by the Commission to ensure a "living wage" that would shield political office holders from corruption.
The current salary package gives President N3, 514, 705.00 as basic salary, while the Vice President goes home with N3, 031,572.50. Ministers get N2, 026, 400.00, ministers of state N1, 957, 580.00, special adviser N1, 942, 875.00, and auditor general/ permanent secretaries N1, 925, 865.00.
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